Nicolas and Ana Sofia are youth leaders from Special Olympics Colombia who developed a project engaging five public and private schools in the Unified Champion Schools model through sports, including badminton, and other inclusive activities.

The youth leaders introduced Special Olympics and the Unified Champion Schools model to school leaders, working to establish each school as a new Unified Champion School. The project included signing agreements, training and certifying coaches, teachers, youth leaders, and families, developing individualized training plans, and organizing youth leadership meetings, sports, and inclusive recreational events.

Through these activities, the project provided young people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities with opportunities to take on leadership roles, participate in Unified Sports, and work toward becoming Unified Champion Schools.
The youth leaders were inspired and supported by their classmates, families, and teachers, who encouraged them to participate and do their best throughout the project. They were also motivated by seeing their peers work hard, collaborate, and support one another.
The project successfully brought students together through sports and school activities, helping them learn to respect one another and work as a team. The youth leaders observed meaningful improvements in the school environment as students built stronger relationships and participated in activities together.
The project provided students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities with more opportunities to participate in sports and school activities together. It strengthened respect, teamwork, solidarity, and empathy among classmates while encouraging teachers and families to become more actively involved. Together, these efforts helped create more connected and inclusive school communities.
Throughout the project, the youth leaders learned to work more effectively as a team and communicate with their classmates to achieve a common goal. They also strengthened their respect, empathy, and self-confidence. One youth leader shared that participating in sports and school activities helped them feel capable and like an important part of the group.